Unit F: Professional Conduct & Scope of Practice

This page of the study guide covers professional conduct and the topic of scope of practice outlined in the RBT task list. This guide will explain RBT’s role in implementing ABA therapy and the professional ethics code.

  • Significance of Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice: For every RBT, the well-being and safety of their client is the utmost priority. Registered Behavior Technicians can perform activities and tasks based on their training and certification(s). If healthcare professionals act outside their scope of practice or competence, they risk harming their clients. The BACB has specific ethical guidelines for RBTs to practice within their scope.

Describe the BACB’s RBT Supervision Requirements and the Role of RBTs in the Service-Delivery System

RBTs implement ABA therapy and treatment plans for the clients. Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has a set of rules and guidelines for RBTs because they work one-on-one with clients.

An RBT’s primary goal is to implement the treatment plans designed by the BCBA or supervisor. For better results, RBTs are required to communicate with supervisors periodically.

The supervisor must be a BCaBA or BCBA. However, sometimes, BACB allows non-certified (but qualified) individuals to supervise RBTs. These non-certified supervisors must be licensed in another behavioral health profession with an ABA in their practice.

Here’s specific rules and guidelines BACB created for RBTs:

  • A minimum of 5% of RBT’s working hours in a month should be supervised by a BCBA.
  • RBTs must communicate face-to-face with supervisors twice a month.
  • If a group of RBTs is working on a client, at least one monthly supervision must be individual (one RBT and BCBA).
  • RBTs must report to BCBA if they do not meet the minimum supervision requirements.
  • You don’t need supervision if you’re not working or on vacation.
  • If you’re going on an extended vacation, you can apply for voluntary inactive status.
  • RBT and the supervisor must sign the monthly supervision log at the end of each month.
  • You (RBT and supervisor) will keep these records for at least seven years.

These are some rules and guidelines set by BACB for RBTs. If any of these rules are violated, you risk losing your certification. So, maintain all the records and keep them safe.

Respond Appropriately to Feedback and Maintain or Improve Performance Accordingly

Feedback is a critical component in the professional development of an RBT. It helps ensure that you provide clients with the highest quality of care and support.

Feedback can come from supervisors, colleagues, clients, or through self-assessment. Responding appropriately to feedback and using it to improve your performance is essential for your growth and effectiveness as an RBT.

If you don’t understand the feedback, asking questions for clarification is essential. Ensure your questions are respectful and come from curiosity, not defensiveness or a desire to argue.

You should receive feedback during each session, even if your BCBA confirms that you’re doing everything well. Many companies also have more formal feedback processes, like weekly, monthly, or annual reviews.

Communicate With Stakeholders (e.g., Family, Caregivers, Other Professionals) as Authorized

Parents, caregivers, other family members, and professionals such as teachers and therapists are stakeholders for your client. You should communicate with only authorized stakeholders. As an RBT, you must have signed consent from your BCBA to communicate with anyone other than the client’s immediate family.

The BCBA has to collaborate with the parents and other professionals regarding the client’s care. If other stakeholders ask for clinical recommendations, direct them toward your BCBA. RBTs are not authorized to change the intervention plan or recommend parents because it’s within the scope of a BCBA, not the RBTs.

Maintain Professional Boundaries (e.g., Avoid Dual Relationships, Conflicts of Interest, Social Media Contacts)

Maintaining professional boundaries with clients and stakeholders is essential for RBTs to focus on the objective. Several guidelines are mentioned in the RBT Ethics Code for maintaining a professional relationship with clients and stakeholders.

It enables therapists not to make decisions based on emotions and biases. Instead, the decisions should be unbiased and better for effective treatments.

A dual relationship between RBTs and clients or caregivers can cause a conflict of interest. In such cases, there is a chance that the RBT or supervisor’s decision could be biased and driven by emotions.

For example, if you’re an RBT of a client and a friend of his/her mom, this dual relationship must be avoided.

Here are a few more examples of dual relationships that you must avoid:

  • The RBTs or supervisors spend time with clients or attend family events outside the therapy sessions.
  • The RBT and caregivers or supervisors are close friends.
  • The RBT and caregivers are relatives.
  • The RBT is a social media friend of clients, caregivers, or parents.
  • The RBT works as a family babysitter on weekends.
  • The RBT works with the client’s parents as a second job.

The RBTs can establish platonic relationships with the family once the therapeutic relationship ends (i.e., the client discharges therapy or the RBT resigns from their role). However, the romantic and sexual relationship must not begin with the client or caregivers for at least two years after the therapeutic relationship ends.

The RBT Ethics Code doesn’t allow the exchange of gifts of monetary value above $10 because the exchange of expensive gifts can cause a conflict of interest and affect the ABA treatment. You should immediately inform your supervisor if you think there is a reasonable likelihood of this happening with the clients or caregivers.

Maintain Client Dignity

An RBT should treat his/her client, caregivers, and other stakeholders with compassion, empathy, and respect. You should be polite and behave with dignity, despite their abilities or needs.

RBTs can maintain clients’ dignity by:

  • Ensuring the client’s privacy.
  • Respecting the client’s autonomy.
  • Pay attention to signs of assent and honor assent withdrawal.
  • Respecting cultural, religious, and personal differences.
  • Prioritizing positive reinforcement.
  • Prioritizing and encouraging communication and self-advocacy.
  • Always treat your client as a human, not just a number or problem.
  • Be compassionate and empathetic toward your clients.

Everyone deserves to be heard and valued regardless of their abilities or needs. You should be polite and respectful towards your clients, parents, and caregivers.

RBT Professional Conduct & Scope of Practice Questions

1. How often your supervisor will provide feedback?

 
 
 
 

2. What should an RBT do if they notice they will not meet the required supervision hours in a given month?

 
 
 
 

3. Which of the following exemplifies a dual relationship that an RBT must avoid?

 
 
 
 

4. Which of the following would be a breach of professional boundaries for an RBT?

 
 
 
 

5. Andrew resigns from his role as an in-home RBT. One of his client’s mothers asks if they can keep in touch after he leaves. How long would Andrew wait before establishing a friendly relationship with this family after his last day?

 
 
 
 

6. Which of the following is the most appropriate communication with stakeholders (e.g., parents or other professionals) for an RBT?

 
 
 
 

7. Which of the following is true of your monthly supervision logs?

 
 
 
 

8. Andrew is an RBT of Jennifer. The relationship between both is getting closer every day and Andrew is concerned about it. What should he do?

 
 
 
 

9. How might an RBT communicate with their client’s parents professionally and within their scope of practice?

 
 
 
 

10. Andrew was Jennifer’s RBT, but their therapeutic relationship ended recently. When can both be involved in a romantic and sexual relationship?

 
 
 
 

11. How many hours of supervision are required for an RBT each month based on the BACB’s supervision guidelines?

 
 
 
 

Question 1 of 11

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